It’s high time there’s some neurofunk on the new Mag, and luckily Malux and Evolution Chamber are here to deliver. These two are a powerful match when it comes to the harder of the steps in D&B, because they both are consistently dropping new and different work. With some observing that neuro’s got a bit stale in the last couple of years, artists like Malux prove there’s still much to be explored. His new single, ‘Clockwork’ proves that point by shaking up the usual neuro format whilst maintaining that atomic timing precision we all love.
Opening with an unexpectedly dramatic and almost orchestral arrangement that feels like action film of video game scoring, ‘Clockwork’ has a quite short intro by today’s standards (we’re looking at you, riddim, with your 3-minute long intros), dropping into the beat just after the first minute. Said beat is clipped and almost minimal but not meant to be in the background. Rather, much like time itself, the ticking of this track is incessant and heavily charged with urgency, driving the rest of the track forward into the future.
Said ‘rest of the track’ is equally charged. With intensities layered on top of the intensity of the beat, the chunky synth stomps along, sort of an ancillary beat of its own, as it tries to either catch up to or pound out the ticking of that evil metronome underneath it. Loads of tough, visceral samples kick through the phrase transitions as well, signifying that ‘Clockwork’ is, indeed, a battle with time itself.
Instead of exploding into a load of chaos at intervals as is the trend with neurofunk of late, it seems Malux really wanted to keep that feel of the gears of a clock present in ‘Clockwork’. It’s a giant, metal, industrial clock that appears to be chasing the listener, but a clock nonetheless. Chunky and crunchy and made for a big system, ‘Clockwork’ will likely be a heavy favourite as festival season turns to fall.
‘Clockwork’ will drop this Friday, 6th September on Evolution Chamber. Click here to pre-order or pre-save.